SC urged Parliament to outlaw child betrothal

The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by NGOs, urged the Parliament to outlaw child betrothal. The Apex Court said that people use child betrothals as a clever ploy to evade punishment. These prior marital engagements of children defeat the purpose of child protection laws such as prohibition of child marriage Act and POCSO Act. The Court also urged that a child whose marriage was fixed as minor should be declared as “a minor in need of care and protection” under Juvenile Justice Act. The Judgement said that patriarchal notions of masculinity convinces and encourages the tender mind to commit violence against their child brides. CJI said that right to childhood belongs to all sexes. The Court also issued various guidelines to the government including age-proportionate and culturally sensitive sexuality education for children in schools. It also recommended the government to make an online portal where cases of child marriages can be reported.